Universal cartridge nozzle and kit

ABSTRACT

A universal cartridge nozzle and corresponding kit are provided. The nozzle has a longitudinal hollow conical body for dispensing sealant provided by a sealant cartridge. The body is sectionable along its length, and has a mounting end for mounting to the supply tube of a sealant cartridge. The body also has a circumferential groove extending inwardly into and about the body at the mounting end. The groove defines an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, and is adapted to receive the mounting flange of a cartridge gun therein so as to secure the body to the cartridge. The body also has a circumferential sealing member extending into a hollow interior of the body from the inner groove wall at the mounting end. The sealing member sealingly engages the supply tube upon the supply tube being inserted into the body. The sealant is dispensed from the nozzle via a dispensing end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates generally to sealant systems and, more particularly, to a universal nozzle and a kit for various types of sealant cartridges of the type adapted to be loaded into a cartridge gun.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Sealant tubes, such as those containing caulking, sealants, and other similar materials are generally mounted into guns which apply pressure to the sealant tubes so that the sealant can be expelled therefrom. Conventional sealant tubes can have some of the following disadvantages: a) they can typically only be used to apply sealant having a specific thickness, or a very limited range of thicknesses; and b) they typically do not allow for varying the thickness of the sealant as desired.

To address this concern, adapters have been developed to mount onto sealant tubes. However, the following disadvantages are associated with some of these adapters: i) they are relatively expensive and are thus typically only used by professionals; ii) they are typically used with a specific model of sealant tubes and/or gun, which further limits them to being used only by professionals, and makes them unsuitable for use with the most readily available and inexpensive standard sealant tubes, and iii) they require a relatively long amount of time to attach to the sealant tube and are generally only suitable for one application of the sealant.

In light of the above, there is a need for an improved sealant nozzle and kit.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided a universal cartridge nozzle for installation on different models of a sealant cartridge of the type adapted to be loaded into a cartridge gun having a circumferential mounting flange, the sealant cartridge having an end face and a supply tube projecting therefrom, the nozzle comprising: a longitudinal hollow conical body for dispensing sealant provided by the supply tube of the sealant cartridge, the body being sectionable along its length and having a mounting end being removably mountable to the supply tube of the sealant cartridge and secured thereto by the cartridge gun; a circumferential groove extending inwardly into and about the body at the mounting end and defining an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, the groove adapted to receive the mounting flange of the cartridge gun therein so as to secure the mounting end of the body between the end face of the sealant cartridge and the mounting flange of the cartridge gun; a circumferential sealing member extending into a hollow interior of the body from the inner groove wall at the mounting end, the sealing member adapted to sealingly engage the supply tube upon the supply tube being inserted into the body; and a dispensing end adapted to convey the sealant from the body.

In another aspect, there is provided a sealant kit, comprising: a cartridge gun having a circumferential mounting flange; a sealant cartridge having an end face and a supply tube projecting away therefrom, the sealant cartridge being mountable to the cartridge gun and securable thereto via the mounting flange; and a universal cartridge nozzle for installation on different models of the sealant cartridge, the nozzle comprising: a hollow conical body for dispensing sealant provided by the supply tube of the sealant cartridge, the body being sectionable along its length and having a mounting end being removably mountable to the supply tube of the sealant cartridge; a circumferential groove extending inwardly into and about the body at the mounting end and defining an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, the groove adapted to receive the mounting flange of the cartridge gun therein so as to secure the mounting end of the body between the end face of the sealant cartridge and the mounting flange of the cartridge gun; a circumferential sealing member extending into a hollow interior of the body from the inner groove wall at the mounting end, the sealing member adapted to sealingly engage the supply tube upon the supply tube being inserted into the body; and a dispensing end adapted to convey the sealant from the body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a universal cartridge nozzle according to an embodiment, being shown mounted to a sealant cartridge and secured thereto by a cartridge gun;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the universal cartridge nozzle of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an end view of the universal cartridge nozzle of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is provided a universal cartridge nozzle for installation on different models of sealant cartridges. The term “universal” refers to the adaptability of the cartridge nozzle, which can be fitted and secured to most, if not all, of the standard sealant cartridges available to the retail consumer because of its features, which are described herein. By “different models”, it is understood that the interface of the sealant cartridge with the cartridge nozzle remains generally unchanged amongst standard sealant cartridges, but that both the length and volume of the sealant cartridge, as well as the type of sealant being stored therein, can vary. It can thus be appreciated that the cartridge nozzle disclosed herein can be used with standard sealant cartridges of varying sizes and shapes, and storing various types of sealant.

Referring to FIG. 1, a universal cartridge nozzle 10 is shown mounted to a sealant cartridge 50 and secured to a cartridge gun 60. The sealant cartridges 50 (or simply “cartridges 50”) described herein are typically, but not exclusively, tubular in shape and can contain different types of sealants. In most instances, but not necessarily all, these sealants are surface sealants like caulking or other similar viscous materials used to seal or close joints in structures. Each cartridge 50 has an end face 52 which corresponds to the typically rounded surface at the application end of the cartridge 50. Each cartridge 50 also has a supply tube 54 through which the sealant is expelled from the body of the cartridge 50, and into the cartridge nozzle 10.

The cartridge 50 is loaded into the cartridge gun 60 (or simply “gun 60”). The gun 60 has a mounting flange 62, which is generally a circumferential collar or rim used to secure the cartridge 50 within the gun 60. In operation, the gun 60 typically has a handle which is manipulated by a user of the gun 60 so as to apply pressure to an end of the cartridge 50 opposite the end face 52. The application of the pressure against the cartridge 50 pushes the end face 52 of the cartridge 50 against the mounting flange 62, which prevents the cartridge 50 from being further displaced. This constraint of the motion of the cartridge 50 transfers the pressure applied by the gun 60 to the contents of the cartridge 50 itself, which acts to expel the sealant from within the cartridge 50 and out the supply tube 54. The universal cartridge nozzle 10 (or simply “nozzle 10”) disclosed herein is mounted to the cartridge 50, generally on the supply tube 54, and is secured thereto by the gun 60 such that the nozzle 10 is secured between the end face 52 of the cartridge 50 and the mounting flange 62 of the gun 60. The nozzle 10 has a longitudinal hollow conical body with a mounting end, a circumferential groove, a sealing member, and a dispensing end, all of which will now be described in greater detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the nozzle 10 extends along a length which can vary, and has a hollow conical body 15. The hollow interior 17 of the body 15 in use receives the sealant from the supply tube 54 of the cartridge 50 and conveys it out of the body 15 via the dispensing end 14 against the surface or joint being sealed. The body 15 is conical, meaning that it narrows along its length in a direction of flow of the sealant, indicated by arrow F. This narrowing of the body 15 means that the cross-sectional area of the body 15 decreases along its length in the flow direction F.

The body 15 is sectionable along its length. The term “sectionable” refers to the body 15 being divisible, such that it can be cut or divided at different points along its length. Such divisibility advantageously allows the user of the nozzle 10 to select a diameter of the body 15, this diameter defining the thickness of the sealant exiting the dispensing end 14. Such versatility allows the user to vary the diameter or thickness of the sealant exiting the body 15, thereby allowing the user to apply the sealant to joints having various thickness or diameters. In some embodiments, and in order to further assist the user, the exterior surface of the body 15 can be marked with diameter markings 16. These diameter markings 16 can be positioned at various points along the length of the body 15 so as indicate the diameter of the cross-section of the body 15 at those points. The user can therefore select the desired diameter/thickness for the joint to be sealed by cutting or sectioning the body 15 at the chosen diameter marking 16.

The body 15 also has a mounting end 20 corresponding to one of the two extremities of the body 15 (the other end being the dispensing end 14). The mounting end 20 can be attached to, and removed from, the cartridge 50, generally by being mounted to the supply tube 54. The mounting end 20 is conical along its length, which can extend between a circumferential cartridge flange 22 which abuts against the end face 52 of the cartridge 50 when the nozzle 10 is being used, and a circumferential second face 24 spaced apart from the cartridge flange 22 in the flow direction F. In order to maintain the conical shape of the body 15, the diameter of the second face 24 can be less than the diameter of the cartridge flange 22.

The body 15 also has a circumferential or rounded groove 30. The groove 30 can be any indentation or depression which extends into the body 15 from its exterior surface. The groove 30 extends about the body 15 at any location along the length of the mounting end 20. The extent of the groove 30 around the periphery of the body 15 can vary. In most embodiments, the groove 30 extends about the entire periphery of the body 15. Alternatively, the groove 30 can extend about only the portion of the periphery of the body 15 which engages the mounting flange 62 of the gun 60 as the nozzle 10 is being secured thereby, as further described below. The groove 30 defines an outer groove wall 32 which forms part of the exterior surface of the body 15, and an inner groove wall 34 which opens onto the hollow interior 17 of the body 15. In most embodiments, the diameter of the inner groove wall 34 is equal to, or slightly greater than, the diameter of the supply tube 54 of the cartridge 50.

When the nozzle 10 is being used, the groove 30 receives the mounting flange 62 of the gun 60. Indeed, the width of the groove 30 can vary, and in most instances will exceed the width or thickness of the mounting flange 62 so that the groove 30 can accommodate the mounting flanges 62 or various types of guns 60. When pressure is applied by the user to the gun 60, the end face 52 of the cartridge 50 is pushed against the mounting end 20, typically against the cartridge flange 22. Since the mounting end 20 is prevented from moving because the mounting flange 62 occupies some or all of the groove 30, the application of pressure by the user sandwiches the cartridge flange 22 between the mounting flange 62 and the end face 50, thereby holding the mounting end 20 and the body 15 in place. In can thus be appreciated that the groove 30 allows for the mounting end 20, and thus the body 15, to be secured to the cartridge 50 and to resist the pressure applied by the gun 60 so that such pressure acts only on the cartridge 50 and the sealant contained therein. Therefore, the groove 30 can have a non-circumferential shape, or extend around only some of the periphery of the body 15 at the mounting end 20, provided that such a shape and extension can achieve the functionality described above.

The body 15 also has a circumferential sealing member 40. The sealing member 40 engages the cartridge 50 when the nozzle 10 is mounted thereon, and more specifically the supply tube 54, so as to provide a seal between the supply tube 54 and the body 15. Such an engagement can be achieved by the configuration of the sealing member 40, or from the material from which it is made. For example, the sealing member 40 can be made of a resilient material such as rubber, or any other similar material which can allow the sealing member 40 to deform as it engages the supply tube 54, and to revert to its original shape upon not being engaged with the supply tube 54. One other such material can be a resilient plastic, such as the same plastic used to make the supply tubes 54 of most standard cartridges 50.

The sealing member 40 extends around some of or all the interior of the hollow body 15 at a point within, or adjacent to, the mounting end 20. In most embodiments, the sealing member 40 also extends radially into the hollow interior 17 of the body 15 from the inner groove wall 34, thereby protruding into some of the empty space defining the interior of the body 15. The term “radially” refers to the orientation of the protruding sealing member 40, in that it extends away from the inner groove wall 34 along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the flow direction F. The orientation of the sealing member 40 can, however, be varied, as further discussed below.

When the nozzle 10 is mounted to the cartridge 50, the sealing member 40 sealingly engages the supply tube 54 as it is inserted into the hollow interior 17 of the body 15. The expression “sealingly engage” refers to the position, shape, and size of the sealing member 40, such that it enters into contact with the periphery of the supply tube 54 and engages the periphery so that the sealant is prevented from exiting the body 15 toward the end face 52 of the cartridge 50 when the nozzle 10 is in use. Thus, the sealing member 40 advantageously prevents, or substantially reduces, any reverse flow of the sealant from within the body 15. Upon engaging the supply tube 54, the sealing member 40 can also form a friction fit with the supply tube 54, which can help the nozzle 10, along with the cartridge flange 22, to better resist the pressure of the sealant within the nozzle 10 as the pressure of the sealant attempts to push the nozzle 10 off of the cartridge 50 when in use.

The position of the sealing member 40 within the mounting end 20 can vary. In one embodiment, the sealing member 40 can extend radially into the hollow interior 17 from any point along the inner groove wall 34 between the cartridge flange 22 and the second face 24. More specifically, the location of the radially-extending sealing member 40 can be at, or near, the cartridge flange 22. Such a location allows the sealing member 40 to sealingly engage the exterior of the supply tube 54 at a location along the supply tube 54 that is nearer to the end face 52 of the cartridge 50. Alternatively, the sealing member 40 can radially extend from the inner groove wall 34 at a location that is at, or near, the second face 24. Such a location allows the sealing member 40 to sealingly engage the exterior of the supply tube 54 at a location along the supply tube 54 that is further away from the end face 52 of the cartridge 50. It can thus be appreciated that the location of the sealing member 40 along the inner groove wall 34 can be chosen as a function of the intended application of the nozzle 10, among other factors.

The configuration of the sealing member 40 within the mounting end 20 can also vary. For example, the sealing member 40 can extend radially into the hollow interior 17 of the body 15 along a curve. The curve can have any degree of curvature which allows the sealing member 40 to perform its function, and can open in a direction opposite the flow direction F. Alternatively, the sealing member 40 can be a substantially straight extension projecting radially into the hollow interior 17 at an angle to the flow direction F. The angle at which the sealing member 40 projects can vary, as required, based on numerous factors.

Having described at least some of the components and features of the nozzle 10, its installation on the sealant cartridge 50 will now be further described.

The mounting end 20 of the nozzle 10 can be placed over the supply tube 54 of the cartridge 54 and manipulated such that the supply tube 54 is inserted into the hollow interior 17 until the cartridge flange 22 of the mounting end 20 abuts against the end face 52 of the cartridge 50. As it is inserted, the supply tube 54 enters into sealed engagement with the sealing member 40, which provides a friction fit. Although the mounting end 20, and thus the nozzle 10, are relatively secure on the cartridge 50, additional security will likely be required before the sealant can be applied. This reinforcement can be provided by placing the nozzle 10 and cartridge 50 into the cartridge gun 60 such that the mounting flange 62 of the gun 60 is inserted into the groove 30 of the nozzle 10. As pressure is applied from an end of the cartridge 50 opposite the end face 52, the end face 52 is brought to bear against the cartridge flange 22, which is in turn brought to bear against the mounting flange 62. This “sandwiching” of the cartridge flange 22 secures the nozzle 10 onto the cartridge 50, and allows for sealant to be applied out of the dispensing end 14 of the body 15.

In light of the preceding, it can thus be appreciated that the nozzle 10 can be attached with relative ease to the sealant cartridge 50, and thus without consuming a significant amount of time. This is contrast to some known adapters, which require a comparatively long period of attachment because they must be screwed onto a threaded supply tube, to name but one example of a known adapter. Such versatility contributes to the ability of the nozzle 10 to be used with most, if not all, of the sealant cartridges 50 available to the lay user.

The nozzle 10 disclosed herein can also be made according to a method such that significant numbers of the nozzle 10 can be made quickly and inexpensively. This allows the nozzles 10 to be purchased by the average retail consumer at relatively little cost, also in contrast with some known adapters.

Furthermore, the length of the body 15 of the nozzle 10, as well as its ability to be sectioned at discrete intervals, allows the user of the nozzle to select among many possible values the diameter required for applying sealant to a given joint. It can thus be appreciated that such functionality allows for the thickness of the sealant to be applied to be varied as desired.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. 

1. A universal cartridge nozzle for installation on different models of a sealant cartridge of the type adapted to be loaded into a cartridge gun having a circumferential mounting flange, the sealant cartridge having an end face and a supply tube projecting therefrom, the nozzle comprising: a longitudinal hollow conical body for dispensing sealant provided by the supply tube of the sealant cartridge, the body being sectionable along its length and having a mounting end being removably mountable to the supply tube of the sealant cartridge and secured thereto by the cartridge gun; a circumferential groove extending inwardly into and about the body at the mounting end and defining an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, the groove adapted to receive the mounting flange of the cartridge gun therein so as to secure the mounting end of the body between the end face of the sealant cartridge and the mounting flange of the cartridge gun; a circumferential sealing member extending into a hollow interior of the body from the inner groove wall at the mounting end, the sealing member adapted to sealingly engage the supply tube upon the supply tube being inserted into the body; and a dispensing end adapted to convey the sealant from the body.
 2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the mounting end extends between a circumferential cartridge flange for mating with the end face of the sealant cartridge and a circumferential second face spaced apart from the cartridge flange in a direction of flow of the sealant.
 3. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the second face has a second face diameter being less than a cartridge flange diameter of the cartridge flange.
 4. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the sealing member extends radially into the hollow interior of the body from a point on the inner groove wall between the cartridge flange and the second face.
 5. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the sealing member extends radially into the hollow interior of the body from a point on the inner groove wall adjacent to the cartridge flange.
 6. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the sealing member extends radially into the hollow interior of the body from a point on the inner groove wall adjacent to the second face.
 7. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the sealing member extends into the hollow interior along a curve, the curve opening toward a direction opposite a flow of the sealant.
 8. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the sealing member extends into the hollow interior at an angle to a direction of a flow of the sealant.
 9. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the groove has a groove width exceeding a corresponding thickness of the mounting flange of the cartridge gun.
 10. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the inner groove wall has a groove wall diameter being substantially equal to or greater than a tube diameter of the supply tube.
 11. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body further includes at least one diameter marking disposed at a point on a length of the body, the at least one diameter marking being indicative of a diameter of a cross-section of the body at said point.
 12. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is made of a resilient material.
 13. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is made of the same material as the supply tube of the sealant cartridge.
 14. A sealant kit, comprising: a cartridge gun having a circumferential mounting flange; a sealant cartridge having an end face and a supply tube projecting away therefrom, the sealant cartridge being mountable to the cartridge gun and securable thereto via the mounting flange; and a universal cartridge nozzle for installation on different models of the sealant cartridge, the nozzle comprising: a hollow conical body for dispensing sealant provided by the supply tube of the sealant cartridge, the body being sectionable along its length and having a mounting end being removably mountable to the supply tube of the sealant cartridge; a circumferential groove extending inwardly into and about the body at the mounting end and defining an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, the groove adapted to receive the mounting flange of the cartridge gun therein so as to secure the mounting end of the body between the end face of the sealant cartridge and the mounting flange of the cartridge gun; a circumferential sealing member extending into a hollow interior of the body from the inner groove wall at the mounting end, the sealing member adapted to sealingly engage the supply tube upon the supply tube being inserted into the body; and a dispensing end adapted to convey the sealant from the body. 